Driving glasses reviewed - Introduction

It might surprise you to know, but those cheap shades you bought on the beach could be doing your eyes more harm than good.

You see, poor quality sunglasses don't always filter out harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays, but because their tinted lenses force your irises to open up to allow more visible light in, your eyes can be exposed to more UV than usual. This can damage the retina and even cause cataracts.

Most quality sunglasses have UV filters, but driving glasses are even better because they have polarised lenses. This means they remove much of the glare that causes you to squint on a sunny day – such as when the sun reflects off a wet road or another car's windscreen – and improve visibility.

Put simply, a good pair of driving glasses will protect your eyes and make driving safer.

Driving glasses come in many shapes and sizes – just like the human head – so always try on a pair before buying. It's important that they wrap nicely round your head and prevent light entering your eyes at the edges of the lenses.